No Divorce? The Billionaire's Love Chase! novel Chapter 45

So that was it. After all that, he was here to blame her.

A fire ignited in Claudia's chest, but she fought to keep it contained. This was a public place; she couldn't afford to have a complete meltdown.

"Yes, I sent her," she admitted.

Darleen had done it to stand up for her. York was so protective of Ann, he must have been worried sick. This was between her and York, and she wouldn't let Darleen get dragged into it or suffer for it. But apologize? Never.

They stared at each other.

York studied her expression intently.

"Since you admit it, then go and apologize to Ann," he said.

Claudia's eyes reddened with unshed tears, but she held his gaze stubbornly. "York, I don't care how much you love her, but you are married to me. As long as we are not divorced, you and your precious Ann are in the wrong. Your son is illegitimate. And you're asking me, your wife, to apologize to a mistress. Oh, come on. Seriously?"

His eyes flashed with displeasure. "Claudia, don't be so vulgar. Ann is not a mistress."

Claudia let out a bitter, self-mocking laugh. "That's right. The unloved one is the real mistress." Then her face hardened. "So in your eyes, York, I'm the mistress!"

"..."

"Claudia, that's not what I meant," he said, rubbing his temples wearily as he stepped toward her.

Claudia took a step back, avoiding his outstretched hand.

"York, if you love her so much, why don't you just divorce me and marry her?" she asked. "I can walk away with nothing. I'll even sign an IOU. I am willing to let you go."

York's face was grim, his expression unreadable. "I have no plans to replace Mrs. Ferguson at this time."

At this time?

The words hit Claudia with the force of a physical blow.

Her control finally started to crumble, and her eyes glistened. "If you don't agree to a press conference, then I'll go apologize to her right now, in front of the entire hospital staff."

Her voice rose with emotion. "I'll tell them everything! I'll tell them that I, Mrs. Ferguson, in a fit of jealous rage, trashed the mistress's home and put her in the hospital, and now my husband is forcing me to come and apologize!"

She started to walk away, but York grabbed her by the waist and stopped her.

He pulled her into his arms and held her there.

"Claudia, I'm trying to have a conversation with you. Can you please not fly off the handle at every little thing?" he said.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. York lowered his voice. "We'll talk about the apology later. You have work this afternoon. Get some rest."

He held her for another moment, then let her go. "I'll go get you something to eat. You need to calm down."

And before Claudia could completely fall apart, he cut the conversation short, leaving her standing there alone.